DALTON, Mass. — The Fire Department is planning to host an emergency medical technician course.

 

The price of the course is still under negotiation but will be gauged on the area's interest levels, which is being evaluated by Fire Chief James Peltier and the company that will be dong the training.

 

The station hopes to be able to offer this course in-person to the community within the next two months. 

 

Peltier said he has spoken to a lot of people who have expressed interest in the course because, like him, they say they learn better in a face-to-face format. 

 

He said he's spoken to area fire chiefs who have a number of members interested in becoming EMTs. 

 

If the department gets a certain number of people outside of Dalton to sign up, Dalton gets "first dibs on a couple of reduced frequencies," Peltier said. 

 

The class size will be up to 24 people and the eight-week course will be held in the conference room two nights a week and on Saturday.

 

In addition to being in person, Peltier said this is a good opportunity because it is in-house so the department does not have to go out of town to get training or save up to contract with a private ambulance company for two years.